News involving Caltrain, ACE or BART that affect Silicon Valley’s quality of life.
On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today.
In case you did not know: all Silicon Valley transit agencies (VTA, Caltrain, SamTrans et al.) are running a Sunday/Holiday schedule today. Regular weekday service will return tomorrow.
If you must travel today, please be careful out there. Once again, Merry Christmas.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
The last Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 took place on December 7. There, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was voted unopposed as the VTA Board Of Directors’ Chair for 2018. Also, Santa Clara City Councilmember Teresa O’Neill was voted 9-2 over Cupertino’s Sadia Vaidhyanathan for Vice Chair in 2018.
You can view all four hours of the last VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 here. Or, read on for a summary of what was decided at this VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting.
This year, the last VTA Board Of Directors‘ meeting for 2017 will start at 5:30pm. Note that it is not the normal 9am or other morning time, due to other meetings in the County around that time. A welcome and refreshing break from previous years.
Amongst what will be voted on at Thursday’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting:
The Palo Alto Daily Post reported that current VTA Board Chair Jeannie Bruins of Los Altos will be replaced next year by Mountain View City Council member John McAlister. McAlister will represent the Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills on the VTA Board of Directors.
Read the full 744-page agenda packet for tomorrow’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting. Or, read one condensed version of the agenda packet I put together featuring the items mentioned above.
Also, were you affected by the lack of extra bus and rail service for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium last Friday? Come speak up about it at Thursday’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting, in the Public Comment time period at the beginning of the meeting.
WHEN: Thursday at 5:30pm
WHERE: County Supervisors’ Chambers at the County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St. (at North 1st Street), San Jose.
GETTING THERE: Government Center is 1 block north of Civic Center light rail station. Take VTA’s 61, 62, 66 or 181 express bus lines to Civic Center light rail station, then walk 1 block north to the County Government Center. Read the map detailing the Government Center area for additional information.
See you on Thursday.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
Changes to Silicon Valley bus and rail schedules are being made this month. As regular service is being operated today (October 9), the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) made changes to several bus line schedules in Santa Clara County. Some of the schedule changes enable better connections with the Caltrain commuter rail service. Read up on the service changes here and learn how YOU will be affected by these changes.
Speaking of Caltrain: several fare changes were made on October 1:
This is in addition to the changes Caltrain made to its Monday thru Friday schedule, to increase “operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.” These changes were approved by Caltrain’s Joint Powers Board back in August.
What are your thoughts on the schedule and fare changes at VTA and Caltrain? Please discuss them in comments below.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
Santa Claus aboard a VTA bus. Courtesy @monicamallon on Twitter.
On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
On Saturday and Sunday, all Silicon Valley transit services will run their respective Saturday and Sunday/Holiday schedules. This includes Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Capitol Corridor trains between San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento; ACE trains between San Jose and Stockton, SamTrans in San Mateo County, Dumbarton Express buses, and BART.
On Monday, the day after Christmas, is when Christmas Day will be formally observed. Read on to learn how these transit agencies will run service this Monday only…